Dadur Keerti

Like the other Sanjib Chattopadhyay classics, these are also a collection of homely stories for the young  minds. Based on the central character of Dadu or the grand old grandfather of the house, the stories fleet from subject to subject. Sometimes it is about the searching for a home for his brother in Dadur Bagan, sometimes about the loss of the loved ones depicted in Dadur K(n)athal that affects the rich and the poor alike. Some are about the rodents in the house in which makes life miserable but when they are caught and are on the verge of getting thrashed, the apparent unhappiness of the hapless creatures makes the soul miserable still. Dadur I(n)dur, Dadur Dwitiyo I(n)dur are both of such category. Some stories are pure comic like Dadur D(n)ad(n)adano B(n)aat, where the new set of false teeth comes in way, not only while eating but also between justice in remarkably funny way. I had read all these stories in my childhood as part of some other collection of the author, but to collect these again seemed to bring back cherished memories of the youth. Some stories are understandably not in chronological sequence of the plots as are Dadur Shesh Khawa that narrates the tragic mishap of the house cat which apparently came to the family as described in the following Dadur Biral, as are some of the details that seems a bit confusing, but on the whole, the entire volume is a fantastic mould of sorrow, humour and hope.

Yama Duare Porlo K(n)aata

A distressed girl comes to the chamber of Basu leaving her twin brother at death's door in a North Bengal hospital. The pace sets right in from the opening chapters that oscillates between the mountains and the plains with suspected embezzlement threatening innocents. But the case becomes complicated with a murder. As Basu starts the investigations at various places, help comes from unexpected quarters. Acknowledging the foreign themes as laid by Gardner, Sanyal adapted this. But this heady novel seems to lack in simplicity which might have given the mystery that extra bit a classic demands. The hurried justifications at the final chapters are some such instances.

'Abhipurbak, Nee-Dhatu Aw'-er K(n)aata

The name itself is complicated enough and the novel more so as it progresses rapidly to its abrupt finale. It all starts with a distressed woman being saved from a conviction as Basu accidentally stumbles upon the court proceedings. After this as the lady gratefully acknowledges Basu's blessings in his chamber, she is assured of a compensation from the complainant by him. Meanwhile, Sukaushali is on the scent of a mystery that seems interspersed with the case. As negotiations start for the damage incurred, several new facts come to fore. As the wise old barrister senses some foul play, his client is once more convicted of a murder with the apparent evidence being found in the possession of her solicitor. It grows even more complicated as the only clinching evidence that could have saved the client is rubbed off even before its production due to a sudden hitherto unforeseen forensic detail. Then it remained upon theory and its corroboration by a different track that could punish the evil and reveal the real truth.
Sanyal is very much loquacious just like Gardner and his signature style of extreme subtlety with metaphoric jargons makes the narrative pacy yet boringly monotonous.

Choyti Rahasya Upanyas

Picked up this book at the bookfair and it proved to be a gem of a choice. This premier collection consists of six mystery stories by Kalyani Basu, sister to Bani Basu, with a signature style of her own though reflecting a similar trait in the plots. Author introduces about her works in a higher octave but seems her expectations are a bit too ambitious. Though there  is thrill and suspense yet the introduction could have been toned down a little for the future.
Featuring police detective Avra Chatterjee in four of the cases, the first one is Golmuktar Bala where a murder follows theft but criminals are unmasked following a set of bad clues. The suspense is weaved at the very beginning but the solution becomes a bit obvious as the story progresses. Actually the absence of a clear motive makes it a bit easy to understand who the perpetrators are. The next case for the detective is in Boomerang where the possessive and suspicious husband contemplated the contract murder of the wife but is killed instead. Here the central theme of the book becomes more  prominent that hypothesizes that crime is the result of circumstances that forces persons to become evil. Infact the fate of the villain being uncertain during the closing seems fitting for the case. Avra remains a bit passive in Shikarakti where a serial killing targetting a set of four friends keeps the suspense high. A depressed girl is about to be married to one of the friends while getting over her psychological trauma but the killing starts suddenly that threatens the dream of a settled life. This fast paced suspense is a real thriller. The detective reappears in Arya Aasche where a long lost step brother is about to return after thirty four years to claim his right over a family heirloom. A mysterious twist of false identities and murder threatens the calm life of the family that seems to feel the ripple of past magnified to a dangerous scale.
There are two other stories, the intensely psychological thriller Sutapa Ekhono Bari Fereni, where a wife goes missing after leaving for home from her school. Clues are cleverly weaved that subtly casts shadows of doubt that fades but persists throughout to keep the thrill focussed. With merely a handful of characters, this is not a professional investigation style narrative yet suspense runs high as the mystery unfolds. The other is titled B(n)ashbon  which might be termed as a mystery with a difference where a hateful crime is committed but nobody finds a clue. The usual suspects rare rounded but are forced to be released due to insufficient evidence. An unsolved mystery seems to await. The surprise comes as justice is served the natural way with a punishment which is violently just.
Mystery lovers may go through the thrill that promises a unique perspective to crime as well as punishment.

Bhut Samagra

Spanning over the varied human emotions from intense tragedies to suspenseful narratives the one element that is common to all in this collection is the spirits. Actually reference to spirit is deliberate as spirituality and not raw horror is the core of the book. Sometimes it becomes autobiographical as the author dwells on the untimely death of his Mother in a haunted residence and how he witnessed his revered Chotodadu (Grandfather) alleviating misfortunes of the needy with rituals that defies logic for the layman and makes the events no less than miracles. Also various events in the lives of Ramakrishna Sarada and their greatest disciple Swamiji have been depicted that borders presence of some forces that is subtle yet true. With a suitable note as introduction the content of this volume includes
• Raat barota
• Haat na daal
• Bhut adbhut
• Nishir daak
• Bhuter khela
• Morgan saheber bagan
• Sei raat
• Gaganer maach
• Bhutera bhuteder kichu korte pare na
• S(n)iri
• Kach
• Sei adbhut manushti
• Bhut samparke duchar katha
• Brahmadaityake ekghanta gaan shunie thakurda bari firlen
• Teel matite pora matroi jwale uthlo
• Maa bole daklen, gaganvedi chitkar
• Chotodadu cancer rogta nijer shorire tule niechilen
• Ekti chobi, ekti chobi. Khaskhas shabdo
• S(n)aibaba aloukik Shorire Gopinath kabirajke Kaashite dekhe gelen
• Hatath dekhi chaire Gaurida, tarpori nei, tablee sudhu swet sankha
• ‘Eki tumi ekhane!’ Prashner uttar ajo khuje beracchi
• Aenae dekhte gie dekhi jantranaklishta bridhhar mukh
• Siddha Tantriker shesh Puja Chinnamasta, Amabasyae rakto die Maaer Pujo korbo
• Amar kono naam nei. Ami Maaer Santan, bolei adrishya holen
• Ekta jhoro hawa boe gelo, gaacher daal bhangatr shabdo holo
• Bina meghe bajrapaat
• Kichu loukik kichu aloukik
• Charte deshlai kathi
• Gobheer raate
• Bhuter bor saja
• Ashade nnoe
Witty remarks refreshes the stories at places that balances the philosophical bend of quite a few anecdotes.

Rahasya Jakhan Ataltale

A tight compilation of mystery stories that revolves around curious deaths that might seem quite natural yet invokes doubt to the investigators. The stories are titled as

1. Sap Nie Khela
2. Khurasya Dhar
3. Je Ghum Bhangeni

A wealthy woman dies after an apparent innocent medication following appearance of snakes and a rumour of ghost in a mansion that had seen better days. The local police led by OC Pralay Kumar took up the case and with them came CID inspector Rajib Sanyal. Interrogations started that revealed some dark pasts of the household and a peculiar will of a dead father-in-law of the dead lady. Thus started a thrilling chase where the web of motive needed to be cleared to find the real villain. The story is crisp with a smooth pace that is immensely enjoyable. The next one starts with Rajib, now retired, getting a call from police to help them investigate an apparent suicide. Here, there is also the presence of Pralay Kumar, who is referred to be the assistant of Rajib but seemed actually to be in charge of the events. Infact Pralay addresses Rajib as uncle and thus whether he is the same Pralaly of the other stories is not very apparent. However, the story lacks the tightness and is irrationally fast and is not the author's best work. The final one is again a case for the retired Rajib who is running a private agency, again assisted by Pralay Kumar who is referred to as former colleague to the retired investigator. This time the case is about an apparent stroke victim who succumbed to her conditions three years prior. The case is presented in a veil of secrecy and though Rajib cracks but the case falls short of the expectations due to some childish reasonings along with some unexplained evidences albeit a quality presentation full of old world charm.

Netaji Rahasya Sandhane

Each and every work of the author is an work of research. But this time he seems to exceed that in trying to bring out what may have happened to Netaji on and after August 18, "45. Written in a truly unbiased way, the author analyses the report of the Shah Nawaz committee, Suresh Bose's Dissentient Report, some investigation snippets of the foreign governments, some of the books based on the mysterious night and a set of interviews that he carries out at Japan. In a true style of the unbiased journalist he approaches the events in a frank truthful way and brings out the inferences that a logical thinker will. In doing this he actually hints at four different possibilities that justifies reason and remarkably matches some proofs unearthed in future. But while doing so, he, quite justifiably, spares not a single stab at the misleads which seemed to be purposefully effected by several persons for some motivation other than unearthing the truth. But there is a single complain that I have regarding two photographs that indeed needed references for validation, why the author was reluctant in furnishing them seems mysterious. A tribute to the valiant leader of the motherland the author hopes that someday we will be able to pay the due respect to the lion who fought for the freedom of the nation in the way that the nation demanded at that time.

Colonel Samagra Vol VI

The content of the volume runs as

• Briefcase Rahasya
• Neeche Namo B(n)ae Ghoro
• Nagna Nirjan Haat
• Borkhar Arale
• Kuashar Rang Neel

The last two deserve special mention among the various cases of Colonel in the sense that one of them sees the veteran sleuth being overtaken in wisdom and in the other the investigator plots a series of traps to ensure safety to the client while ensuring punishment to most of the criminals. The first one is a case where it is written in the third person which does not have so much appeal as are the following two where some thrill in the otherwise bland preludes is established with some interesting surprises.

A feeling of nostalgia is easily felt as we see a world devoid of cell phones and just the introduction of computers. The Colonel stories are generally independent of technology but one of them here has computer as a central element, where the sleuth seems to take training to get himself geared for the new gen and their cases.

P(n)achti Rahasya Upanyas

I will be grateful to the fan of the author who was buying a copy of this particular book standing just beside me at the Bookfair. On my enquiry about whether the book is good, she told that she did not really know but other works of the author are quality products. So I bought it partly due to her comments, more so as it is a mystery compilation but never in my remotest thinking I considered it to be at all worth. Well, it was to be proven far from correct as the mystery novellas in the volume are breathtakingly beautiful. Consisting of five novellas

• Ek Tukro Megh
• Garita Gelo Kothae
• Choker Baire
• Chokher Arale
• Angule Atatayir Naam

the volume introduces Wrishi aka Saptarshi Dasgupta as the freshest face in the world of mystery fictions with his cousin Shreya acting as his satellite though remaining absent sometimes in the investigations just like Topshe who was sometimes kept in the dark by Feluda while on track of a criminal. Wrishi not only smokes but also keeps a diary just like Mr. Mitra did during the early days of his career as a budding detective. But these are just some minor details but the actual stories will keep you gripped to the lines till the criminals are revealed.

The first story ushers Wrishi to the correct path in his career and as he matures so does the cases which includes murder too. In each of them the sleuth uses his power of deductions from the observed clues and finds evidence to corroborate them much in the same way of the styles of the traditional masters of the trade and this seems to revive the spirit which is unfortunately dying in these days of fast paced adventures where logic takes a backseat quite often. But there is some complain that might be said. Leaving all other things, the help from police seems unrealistically always true and there is an unrealness in the sudden maturity of Wrishi as the cases come. But it must also be said that such a refreshing volume of pure mystery laced with a touch of humour made me want for more and also made me an immediate fan of the sleuth.

Colonel Samagra Vol XVI

One of the most boring of the Colonel volumes but for one that is short crisp and just as you begin to guess the criminal, the person is unmasked. Yes this is the story Kaktarua Brityanta that is just as Jayanta tells is completed in a very short time. The next best is the Apeman Rahasya which involves a sighting of a huge ape in three corners of the country followed by violent killings in two occassions and so the daring adventurerer in Haldermoshai start exploring the farthest cities while Colonel takes Jayanta to the nearer one where he expects to draw the curtain. Haldermoshai also holds cue for another incident Andhyakarer Nayak which is too much complex in plot that seems not worthy of the actual mystery that it has in store. A bit similar in complications is Lalgarher Ratnapetika that is narrated by Colonel which interestingly adds to the misery like always. As the Colonel with Jayanta takes on a scientific treachery coupled with murder in Rahasya Jakhan Samudrik it become obvious about the nature of the crime though Jayanta is here a remote observer and not an active member of the adventure.

Colonel Samagra Vol XI

The volume contains

• Andha Bibheeshika

• Bhuture Baagh

• Operation X File

• Manikin Rahasya

• Neel Saraser Pichane

It mixes some eerie adventures with some curious murders. But in each of them the jolly old man solves them in style. However, the narratives are written in different ways. While the leading one is from the perspective of the third person, the next three are from the viewpoint of Jayanta and the finale is from the retired colonel’s records. Haldermoshai features in some adding the much needed relief but on one there is an unwanted jibe at a critic’s views which compares the trio with various detectives of renown and their associates. This actually cheapens the novel’s value but except this one the others are more or less nice. An uniformity in the protagonist’s behaviours, though depicted from the standpoint from many, is something to be applauded which shows how the author cares on the detailing. But this is contrasted in the use of same dialect for all that seems all the characters to be somehow related. A social shadow is cast on each of the stories that tries to provide quite a realistic touch to each.

Jana-Aranya

After I've seen "Jana-Aranya" I had longed to read the book with a feeling may be to better understand the characters. But after going thru the story I discovered not one but two stories - one penned by author and the other by the director which is not only different although a masterpiece but is a merely an adaptation only.

The life of an educated ordinary yet honest unemployed youth turned mediocre businessman who not only witnesses the dark steps towards success but ultimately boards them remains central to the plot. With this revolves several parallel themes that rediscovers the life of order suppliers in their various avatars. Also the socioeconomic condition of the society is revealed that disrobes the social and sophisticated standings of the people. Thus its significance is still apparent and remains as a timeless warning to society and their politics.

The Jayjayanti edition has added attractions of the writer's autograph and the stories behind the story that inspired the author to create the characters for which debt is due to that anonymous lady who convinced the author to reveal them.

Colonel Samagra Vol XIV

The volume contains four chapters

• Projapati Rahasya
• Rainbow Orchid Rahasya
• Black Ambassador
• Bhuture Baganbari

of which mention must be made of the first and the fourth for two different reasons. While the former one has an unique method of the criminal mind, the later poses a fine mystery to the sleuhs. The plural is intentional as the stories feature, besides the evergreen retired Colonel, the ever energetic PI Haldermoshai as well. Infact going thru this collection, I could not but, for the first time,  help comparing the duo with Perry Mason and Paul Drake trimmed down a few shades. As for the other two, they belong to a kind of pulp genre with one recorded in the first person ny the detective. The narratives could have been more literary rich if reliefs was introduced at places which is significantly missing except for the final exploit. So though the mysteries are themselves quite involved but for the storytelling these remains well behind classics.

Nyayanistha Nyashnashir K(n)aata

What started as a very complex plot turned out to be a fantastic mystery novel. From its very title I was way too much confused with the meaning and the plot. It is true that I did not consult a thesaurus due to my characteristic idle nature and though the meaning was already clear by the back cover note of Sanyal but still the novel was way too complex as clues were few and the apparent motive was never convincing. So as the story progressed the mind was more and more confused. The usual style of digression in the form of incessant dialogues befitting a movie script only increased the monotonicity. But all was converged with a brilliant twist that made the novel a classic. It is really one of the P.K. Basu novel that I will cherish forever because of its novelty. The apparent lack of motive with a hint so subtle could not have been handled in a cleverer way in a mystery thriller. Another very interesting part is the front cover photograph which will seem a printing mistake but its explanation inside will also make the book a collector's item. I purchased it among a collection of old stocks, at a price that will make others jealous, which proved to be one of the most fortunate choices.

Sadhu Kalach(n)ad Samagra

 Some innocent mischiefs, a little bit of good fortune and a huge lot of imagination - this seems to be the apt description of the adventures of Sadhu Kalach(n)ad. With a slightly long prelude Sadhu Kalach(n)ad Katha by Kinnar Ray, the volume contains pages of fun, entertainment and humour without a trace of malice. With his acute common sense, an honest heart and an eye for opportunity, this precursor of Tenida and with slightly behavioural resemblance to Pagla Dashu, Kalach(n)ad is yet another classic addition to the hall of fame of Bengali literature. I distinctly remember reading one of his exploits at a very young age, that was contained in a collection of several short stories including Satyajit Ray's Khagam but after that this character had disappeared into the oblivion. infact i did not remember the story also very well but when I chanced across the title in the booklist at the Book Fair, I did not loose an instant but to get hold of it after a bit of searching among the stock. This wonderful collection contains

• Sadhu Kalach(n)ad
• Sadhu Kalach(n)ader Palakeertan
• Sadhu Kalach(n)ader Natun Kaaj
• Sadhu Kalach(n)ader Future
• Sadhu Kalach(n)ader Falao Karbar
• Sadhu Kalach(n)ader Medineepuran
• Jungle Liner Nanasahe
• Cashier Kalach(n)ad
• Tutor Kalach(n)ad
• Spy Guy
• Babar Badshar Ghash
• Mahakasher Dhulo

The uniqueness of Kalach(n)ad is that he mixes himself in not only his village episodes that contains his encouter with the supernaturals, but his exploits also spans over the country and serves in the wars. Though the stories are chronologically arranged, but each story contains a summary of the previous episodes which though seems a bit monotonous as each chapter proceeds but is apt if the reader tries to enjoy the stories at random without feeling out of context. This charming compilation is sure to etch pleasant memories in the minds of its readers.

Goenda Gargi Samagra (1)

As far as my understanding goes from the short introduction at the back cover of the book it tries to draw parallel with the likes of Byomkesh and Feluda and apparently infers that the sleuth in Gargi had attracted the inquisitive attention of the Bengali readers.

True, it surely attracts attention, but not for its appeal as a mystery story but for the lack of it. I've read Gargi for the young readers and had been inspired by it to buy this one. But it had been a serious mistake. The three stories, viz. Irshar Sabuj Chokh, Bohe Bish Batash and Holud Khamer Rahasya may be ranked as good in the reverse order. This ranking may summarise why the stories could not be as gripping. The concluding one of the volume is the shortest and just by virtue of its length, the gripping tension will keep the readers focussed on the plot. The other two have used a host of characters and several interlacing themes but the way these are introduced just make the story lengthy and takes out any juice in the mystery. The pace have always been fast, infact too fast for the suspense to gather the right momentum and thus the climax is always so unrealistic, borrowing the good old Feluda theme of a meeting will all the characters but without the life in it. Each story had the content of a suspense drama and the characters so similar to those of a Sankar novel but again what is missing, is the reality!

Often the author has mentioned the sharp intellect of Gargi, her acute sense of observations, her skill in identifying the rationale, her ingenuity in analysis but this could have been more subtly highlighted rather mentioned. Emotions run high at certain parts but these dry up the next instant. Criminals are unmasked but only limited words are used to describe their reactions. The spouse of a  murdered victim gets married within a short while. The MD of a busy company finds time to do sleuthing equally efficiently as the business. Add to this is the unique spellings that the print use. With an overabundance of illicit relationships, the stories seem to repeat motives over and over again. Thus each story could have been made more compact without elaborations in parts.

My recommendation is read at its own risk!

Kolkatar Shaitan

Himanish Goswami's sleuth stories featuring Kittu in the forefront and the actual brains Baghakaka, in the shadows had been my favourite in my younger days. So when I found this relic among the bright covers in the Bookfair I lost no time but bought it at a price that also was reminiscent of slightly older days. But it was a bit disappointing to find that these stories, meant not for young, could not come up to the mark. The first story bearing the title of the book Kolkatar Shaitan was more of an adventure than a proper mystery while the other Khaturiar Jibanabasan had the ingredients and really fooled me with an obvious clue but lacked enthusiasm and it was only Supriyapishi's refreshing snippets that proved to be the highlights in both the narratives.

Sherlock Hebo

As with other Sanyal detective stories, extreme loquaciousness is the primary downside of all the narratives. Also there are innumerable printing errors that makes this new get up fare poorly after the reading.

The little sleuth is introduced in Sherlock Hebo Gurubidae Parbo though his first exploit is placed after this in Adi Parbo and finally Palashpur Parbo completes a chapter of his career during his school days. In these several of the side characters are introduced, the most annoying and recurring being Mejda, the person responsible for adding the illustrious title to Hebo's name. The most interesting part is that though in earlier Bengali literature, there had been instances of minors as detectives but never have been a detective is seen making laughable blunders that keeps his ego under control. Sincerely speaking, in the first three episodes Hebo has been a mix of a lesser Holmes and a greater 'Pagla Dashu'. Ocassionally allowing the imagination to run wild, Hebo is found to overdo detection in various cases albeit the primary problem is always solved.

But in the finale Sherlock Hebo Fire Elen the analytical mind is truly revealed as the sleuth matures and his documenter, his Chotokaka pens the most interesting case namely the solution to a aged riddle. The story is not only the best but also the literary talent of Naryanbabu is truly revealed that masks the reader of some of the obvious points that remains hidden in plain view.

So as a whole this will be a good compilation for the collection of detective stories but may not appeal much to the matured mind after a first read. Added attraction to the book is illustrations bu Chandi Lahiri that not only augments the stories but really shows the stark superiority over Sanyal's efforts to parallel the same.

Inspector Brahmer 7 Tadanta

Contrasting to Mustafa Siraj's Colonel stories, Inspector Surapati Brahma is more of a professional detective. But as with the retired colonel he also exhibits a deceiving look that masks his shrewd thinking brain. An ex-professor of the English language, for which he is referred to as Sir by many of his contemporaries, he is a revered figure in the police force. Much to the dissatisfaction of his wife Suranjana, the responsible Brahma feels happy to remain busy even at home too. So the seven investigations that this compilation includes never for once will keep the reader idle. Assisted by the young, enthusiastic and intelligent sub-inspector Satyacharan Pathak he delves deeper into the human minds to unmask criminals and catch them red-handed. But the problem of the seven novels lie in the fact that more often the ambience that is described matches with each other in several of the instances. This repititiveness sheds a disappointment for the readers as do the incompleteness of several of the recurrent characters though it does not compromise the central theme at any time. But apparently the very best, that mixes a bit of science fiction with mystery remains incomplete in the sense that the detective never explains clearly how the clues led to the murderer in Tadanta 7. The investigations invariably starts with a murder and it remains upon the shrewd Brahma to unveil the criminals. Sometimes it is the case of a lecherous businessman in Tadanta 1, sometimes a renowned painter of yester years in Tadanta 4, sometimes an auditor who has stumbled upon a truth in Tadanta 6, sometimes a corporate killed in his flat in Tadanta 3, everytime the investigators catch hold of the truth by analysisng the clues. An intricate network of informers also help the police in several cases. Traps are sprung on the unsuspecting criminals as in Tadanta 2, web is weaved around the evil as in Tadanta 5 that completes the story satisfactorily. The curious point to note is Inspector Brahma considers the fictitious Colonel stories as trash but uses several of the phrases used by him while solving mysteries. Another interesting factor of the stories are these have been conceived during the time cell phones had not been so predominant. This adds an old world romance and the efficient use of technology during mystery solving.

Colonel Samagra Vol XV

The omnibus edition again presents five of the Colonel's adventures unmasking the criminals of which certain are by the Colonel's own narration of events. The stories are

• Coloneler Journal Theke

As evident from the name itself it is documented  in Colonel's journal and curiously enough not so exciting a narration as compared to the more popular Jayanta's perspective. The case is mysterious but not so exciting as the plot unfolds.

• Arale Mrityur Phand

A trap is sprung in the entertainment industry and it is upto Colonel and Haldermoshai to save the innocent while Jayanta remains the witness of the adventure.

• Alexander Rahasya

Though this mutiplot story, again narrated by Colonel begins quite interestingly, but becomes very obvious before the actual climax.

•  Lalubabur Antardhyan Rahasya

Clearly the best of the collection this fast paced thriller includes Colonel, Haldermoshai and is narrated by Jayanta involving an interesting riddle that, though is not the central plot, but keeps the suspense running.

• Mukhosher Mukh

Another good short story that traps the villain in an abrupt move.

Though these mystery stories are quite good to read but a major dissapointment is the undue fast pace and the less focus on diversification of characters.